Motor-cycle brace.



C. J. HUNTER.

MOTOR CYCLE BRACE.

APPLICATlON FILED DEC. I3. 1913.

1 1 60,079 Patented Nov. 9, 1915.

ClmrZerJHunZer 1N TEE sraras Parana orricn CHARLES JOHNSON HUNTER, 0FNEVTPORT NEWS, VIRGINIA.

- MOTOR-CYCLE BRACE.

fixing the relative distance between the motorcycle and car whena rigidconnection is desired.

The invention consists of a brace or connectorembodying'telescopingparts, a helical spring between such parts to offer a resistance bothwhen extending or reducing the length of the connector or brace, andmeans between the telescoping partsfor retarding the action of thespring or admitting of such parts being made secure against movementwhen a rigid connector is desired.

The invention consists of the novel features, details of constructionand combination of parts, which hereinafter will be more particularlyset forth, illustrated in the accompanying drawing, and pointed out inthe appended claims.

Figure 1 is a view in elevation of a brace or connector embodying theinvention. Fig. 2 is a central longitudinal section of the parts. 'Fig.3 is a cross section on the line m.r of Fig. 1. Fig. 4: is a detailedview of the fastening ends provided at the ends of the helical spring.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in thefollowingdescription, and indicated in all the views of the drawing, by

the same reference characters.

The brace or connector comprises two parts or members 1 and 2 which havea sliding or telescoping connection. These parts or sections arepreferably tubular, so as to inclose a helical spring 3 which isfastened at its ends and the outer ends of the respective parts 1 and 2.The spring 3 is eX- tensible and compressible and arranged within thebrace in such a manner as to offer resistance to the inward or outwardmovement of the coupling members when actuated. When it is rememberedthat the spring 3 is capable of acting in both directions the necessityfor securing its ends to Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Ngv,9, 1915 Application filed December 13; 1913. Serial No. 808,616.

the brace 1 and 2 will be readily apparent. The brace or connector innormal position is of a predetermined length, depending upon thedistance between the motorcycle and the car or like part to be coupledthereto. The brace is adapted to be coupled to the motorcycle and car inany manner, and 1t is to be understood that one or more braces may beemployed, and the same may extend in any direction depending upon thespecific result to be attained.

A coupling end 4 is provided at each extremity of the brace, and may beof any nature. depending upon the particular form of joint requiredbetween the brace and the part to which such brace is coupled.

A plug 5 is attached to each end of the spring 3, and it is adapted tobe secured within a section or part of the brace, preferably by means ofa screw or fastening 6, which passes through an opening in a side of thebrace member, and is fitted into an opening formed in the plug 5. A pin7 or like fastening serves to connect the spring to the plug 5.

As hereinbefore stated, means are provided for modifying the action ofthe spring 3 or for securing the sections or parts of the brace in fixedrelative position. These means consist of a housing 8 at the inner endof the section or part 2, a lug 9 fitted within the housing 8, and incontact with the section or part 1 and a screw 10 threaded into thehousing 8 and adapted to engage the lug 9. The screw 10 may be adjustedto cause the lug 9 to bear against the section or part 1 with a greateror'less pressure, thereby offering more or less resistance to the actionof the spring 3. When the length of the brace is to be fixed the screw10 may be turned to cause the lug 9 to engage the section or part 1 withsuch a pressure as to prevent any movement of the section 1 and 2 ineither direction. In this latter capacity the means serve as a fasteningor like device to hold the sections or parts 1 and 2 at the requiredadjusted position.

The present invention provides means for coupling a car or analogousadjustment to a motorcycle, such coupling means admitting of a relativemovement between the motorcycle and adjustment, so that the parts maylean outward or inward according to the road conditions. The spring 3provides a ,yieldable connection for returning the motorcycle and carto. a normal position,

whether the same have moved outward or adjusted to cause the lug 9 toengage the part 1 with a greater or less resistance, and

- when required, the length of the brace may be fixed by turning up thescrew 10 to cause the lug 9 to bind against the part 1, so as to preventany movement of the part 1 and 2.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawing, the advantages of the construction and of themethod of operation will be readily apparent to those skilled in the artto which the invention appertains, and while I have described theprinciple of operation of the invention, together with the device whichI now consider to be the best embodiment thereof, I desire to have itunderstood that the "device shown is merely illustrative, and that suchchanges may be made when desired as'are within the scope of the claimsappended hereto. a. V I H Having thus described the invention whatisclaimed as new, is

l. A "motorcycle brace comprising telescoping members, a coiled springdisposed within said members and having its terminals secured toopposite ends thereof said spring belng adapted when the members areactuated in an inward or outward direction to move sald' members 1n theopposlte d1- H rection, and a housing upon theend of one of said membersprovided with a shoe and screw said shoe being normally adapted toyieldably engage with one of the coupling members and retard themovement of said coupling members under the action ofthe above mentionedspring.

2. A motorcycle brace comprlsing telescoplng members, a coiled sprlng dsposed within said members and having its termiscrew said shoe beingadapte'clto frictionally engage with one oi the coupling members andlock said coupling members, against movement under I the actionmentioned spring. c

In testimony whereof I aiiiX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES JOHNSON HIINTER. I

WVitnesses:

RonT. H. KooNTz, F. P. BARTLETT.

7 Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, byaddressing the Commissioner of Patents,

' 7 Washington, I). C.

of the above

